Where To Buy a Red-Eared Slider Turtle in 2023? (Breeders & Tips)

The red-eared slider turtle is among the most popular turtle species in the United States because they are easy to maintain and quickly adapt to many different environments. It gets its name from the red stripe on its ears and its ability to slide off rocks into the water.

If you are thinking about getting one of these pets for your home but aren’t sure where to look, you’ve come to the right place. We are about to list several breeders in different categories that you can use to purchase your new pet. We’ll give you a short description of each one and a link you can follow to learn more to help you make an informed purchase.

Petkeen advocates for adopting before shopping. We understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder, though, so we encourage it to be done the right way. Learn more.

Red-Eared Slider Turtle Breeders in the United States

When choosing your red-eared slider, we recommend picking one with bright colors that appear active. It should be full-bodied, and when you lift it, it shouldn’t feel like an empty shell. There should be no rolls of skin, and the shell should not be damaged. The eyes should be open with no discharge, and there should be no discharge from the nose.

Red-Eared Slider Breeders Near Me

Petzlover – Petzlover is a great way to find breeders near you as this website sorts them by state. This site does not breed turtles themselves, only puts you in contact with those selling these pets and many other varieties.

Red-Eared Slider Breeders That Ship

The Turtle Source – The Turtle Source is a great place to purchase your red-eared sliders and many other species. Each comes with a health guarantee, and they will deliver it to your door in less than a week, many of them arriving the next day. Their website has plenty of information that will help you care for the turtle once you own it.
Tortoise Town – Tortoise Town turtles ship to your door quickly, and they have a live arrival and a 7-day health guarantee. You can also add up to four turtles to the same shipping charge. You can also order supplies from the same store.
CB Reptile – CB Reptile is another great place to get your red-eared slider turtle. They also have several other turtle species for sale, and you can also get other animals like ball pythons, geckos, and more. It’s a family-based business that sells only captive-bred animals using overnight shipping. The packages are insulated, allowing them to ship all year.

Red-Eared Slider Rescue

The Humane Society – When choosing your red-eared slider, the first thing we recommend doing is checking with your local animal shelter or the Humane Society. Many people fall on hard times and can no longer care for their path and look to these organizations for help. Adopting from these places is often much less expensive than purchasing from a breeder, and you will help rescue an animal as well as free up resources for other animals in need.

How Much Does a Red Eared Slider Turtle Cost?

We recommend setting between $50 and $100 aside to purchase your red-eared slider turtle. You may also need to set aside a little more for shipping. If this is your first turtle, you will need to purchase the aquarium and other equipment to keep it alive. Turtles will also need a continuous supply of food and the occasional trip to the vet.

See Also: What Do Red-Eared Slider Turtles Eat in the Wild & as Pets?

Things to Ask a Red Eared Slider Breeder

Ask how long the breeder has been selling turtles.
Always ask your breeder how old the turtle is.
Ask your breeder if your turtle suffered from any health problems in the past.
Inquire with the breeder if the parents have any health problems.
Ask if any of the turtle’s brothers and sisters were sick, as they can transmit diseases to your turtle.
Always ask if the turtle was captive-bred or captured in the wild, and only purchase captive-bred.
Always ask if the breeder provides a health guarantee.
Ask what you need to do to make sure the health guarantee is valid, as many businesses require you to be there when the pet arrives and to call them immediately.

The 4 Things to Know Before Buying a Red Eared Slider

the shell of a red eared slider turtle — Image Credit: zoosnow, Pixabay

1. Red-eared sliders can live more than 40 years.

2. A fully grown red-eared slider can be more than a foot long, the most are considerably smaller.

3. Red-eared sliders are messy animals, and you will need to clean their habitat frequently.

4. Many organizations consider the red-eared slider an invasive species, so it’s important to make sure yours does not escape.

See Also: 12 Fascinating & Fun Turtle Facts You Never Knew

Conclusion

Red-eared sliders make great pets, and they’re not that hard to care for once you get their habitat up and running. They’re very low maintenance, and their food is not expensive. The best part about owning these animals is their long lifespan which lets them be your companion for a significant part of your life. Since they are so popular, they are easy to find in most pet stores, but you can also easily find them online at one of the many breeders we’ve listed here.

Related read: Where to Buy a Turtle or Tortoise (Breeders & Things to Know)

Featured Image Credit: MrLebies, Pixabay